Patents by Inventor Paul J. Valente

Paul J. Valente has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180319277
    Abstract: A disconnecting axle assembly with a planetary differential assembly and a coupling that selectively couples a planet carrier of the planetary differential assembly to an axle shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. VALENTE, James P. DOWNS
  • Patent number: 10119560
    Abstract: An axle assembly can include a housing defining a reservoir and cylindrical bore open thereto. A clutch can selectively transmit torque between input and output members. A first inlet/outlet of a pump can be in fluid communication with the reservoir and define first threads coaxial with the cylindrical bore. The pump can be configured to pump fluid from the first inlet/outlet to an actuator of the clutch via a second inlet/outlet. The filter can include a base, port, and filter element. The port can define second threads that threadably engage the first threads. The base can be fixedly coupled to the port and include a cylindrical wall coaxial with the second threads. A seal member can form a seal between the cylindrical wall and the cylindrical bore when the first and second threads are engaged. The filter element can be disposed between the reservoir and the first inlet/outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10113631
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, and a differential assembly having a differential case. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing assembly as well as handles thrust loads between the ring gear and the housing assembly in opposite axial directions. The ring gear bearing includes an outer bearing race having a first race member, which may be unitarily and integrally formed with the ring gear, and a second race member that is received in a groove formed on the ring gear. The differential case is coupled to the ring gear and secures the second race member to the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180306311
    Abstract: A planetary transmission having a planet carrier with a carrier body and a plurality of carrier pins. The carrier body includes a pair of carrier plates, each of which having pin bosses that extend outwardly from a remaining portion of the carrier plate. The pin bosses on at least one of the carrier plates define an exterior surface with at least one step so that portions of the exterior surface of the pin bosses are spaced apart in an axial direction. The carrier pins have an axial ends with recesses formed therein such that each axial end of each carrier pin terminates in a thin wall section. The carrier pins are received through the carrier plates and the thin wall sections are deformed against the exterior surfaces of the pin bosses to retain the carrier pins to the carrier body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Paul J. VALENTE
  • Publication number: 20180223978
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, and a differential assembly having a differential case. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing assembly as well as handles thrust loads between the ring gear and the housing assembly in opposite axial directions. The ring gear bearing includes an outer bearing race having a first race member, which may be unitarily and integrally formed with the ring gear, and a second race member that is received in a groove formed on the ring gear. The differential case is coupled to the ring gear and secures the second race member to the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 10012300
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a clutched component including a first member, a second member, and a clutch. The first member can have an output portion. The second member can have an input portion that is disposed within the output portion. The clutch can include a plurality of first lock members and a control member for coordinating radially inward movement of the first lock members to drivingly couple the output portion and the input portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180172124
    Abstract: A drive module includes an electric motor, planetary differential, first, second, and third suns, first second and third planets, and first and second clutches disposed about an axis. The differential ring can be driven by the motor. The differential sun can be non-rotatably coupled to a first output. The differential carrier can be non-rotatably coupled to a second output. The first, second, and third planets can be supported by a common carrier for rotation about the first axis. The first sun can meshingly engage the first planets. The second sun can be non-rotatably coupled to the first output and meshingly engage the second planets. The third sun can be non-rotatably coupled to the differential carrier and meshingly engaged with the third planets. The first clutch can selectively permit or inhibit rotation of the common carrier. The second clutch can selectively permit or inhibit rotation of the first sun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, John C. Hibbler, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180126783
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, a shaft received in the housing, a shaft bearing supporting the shaft for rotation relative to the housing about a shaft axis, a differential assembly, an annular band and a secondary retainer. The shaft bearing has an inner race, which is received on and directly engaged to the shaft, and an outer race that is received on and directly engaged to the axle housing. The differential assembly has an output member that is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft. The annular band is fixedly coupled to the shaft at a location along the axle shaft axis between the inner race and the output member. The secondary retainer is disposed along the axle shaft axis between the annular band and the output member and is configured to limit movement of the annular band along the axle shaft axis in a direction toward the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180100524
    Abstract: An axle assembly can include a housing defining a reservoir and cylindrical bore open thereto. A clutch can selectively transmit torque between input and output members. A first inlet/outlet of a pump can be in fluid communication with the reservoir and define first threads coaxial with the cylindrical bore. The pump can be configured to pump fluid from the first inlet/outlet to an actuator of the clutch via a second inlet/outlet. The filter can include a base, port, and filter element. The port can define second threads that threadably engage the first threads. The base can be fixedly coupled to the port and include a cylindrical wall coaxial with the second threads. A seal member can form a seal between the cylindrical wall and the cylindrical bore when the first and second threads are engaged. The filter element can be disposed between the reservoir and the first inlet/outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20180094714
    Abstract: An all-wheel drive vehicle drivetrain can include an input member, first and second output members, a planetary differential, a first clutch, and a second clutch. The differential can include an internal gear, a carrier, a sun gear, and a differential gear set. The internal gear can be coupled to the input member to receive input torque about an axis. The carrier can be coupled to the first output for common rotation about the axis. The differential gear set can receive input torque from the internal gear and output differential torque to the carrier and the sun gear. The first clutch can be operable to selectively couple and decouple the sun gear with the second output member for common rotation. The second clutch can be operable to selectively transmit torque between the carrier and the second output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventor: Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9890819
    Abstract: A clutched device including an actuator and a clutch. The actuator can include a housing and a piston having a first, second, and third face. The first face and the housing can define a first chamber. The second face and the housing can define a second chamber. The second face can have a greater surface area than the first face. The third face and the housing can define a third chamber, isolated from the first and second chambers. A conduit can couple the first and second chambers. A vent can be coupled to the third chamber. A pump can pump fluid from a reservoir to the first chamber. A valve can selectively inhibit fluid communication between the second chamber and the reservoir. A shift element can be coupled to the piston for common translation and can move a clutch member between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGowske, Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20170356888
    Abstract: A drive module with a hydraulic circuit that includes a reversible motor, a reversible pump driven by the reversible motor, a hydraulic reservoir, a first conduit coupling a first inlet/outlet of the reversible pump to the hydraulic reservoir, a second conduit coupling a second inlet/outlet of the reversible pump to the hydraulic reservoir, first and second hydraulic cylinders, and first and second one-way valves. The first hydraulic cylinder has a third inlet/outlet that is coupled to the first conduit between the reversible pump and the hydraulic reservoir. The second hydraulic cylinder has a fourth inlet/outlet that is coupled to the second conduit between the reversible pump and the hydraulic reservoir. The first one-way valve is disposed in the first hydraulic conduit between the first hydraulic cylinder and the reservoir. The second one-way valve is disposed in the second hydraulic conduit between the second hydraulic cylinder and the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9777818
    Abstract: A drive module that includes an electric motor, a differential assembly with a differential input member and a pair of differential output members, a multi-speed transmission assembly, which transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential input member, and a pair of axle shafts that are each coupled to an associated one of the differential output members for rotation therewith. The multi-speed transmission assembly and includes a housing, a two-speed planetary transmission stage, a plurality of clutches and a transmission output member that provides rotary power to the differential input member. The two-speed planetary transmission stage has an input sun gear, which is driven by the motor, and employs a set of planet gears having compound planet gears that provide a gear reduction between the sun gear and the transmission output member. The clutches are employed to control an overall reduction ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Publication number: 20170239989
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, an axle shaft, a plurality of axle shaft bearings and a seal. The axle housing has a tubular member and an end flange that is coupled to the tubular member. The axle shaft bearings and the seal are received in the end flange and are engaged to the axle shaft. The axle shaft bearings support the axle shaft for rotation relative to the axle housing. The seal is sealingly engaged to the end flange and the axle shaft. A method for assembling an axle assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9732841
    Abstract: A driveline component with a housing, which defines a sump, a power-transmitting device received in the housing, a reservoir coupled to the housing, and a reservoir level control device (RLCD). The reservoir has an inlet and outlet and defines a cavity. The RLCD has a skimmer and an outlet port flow control (OPFC). The skimmer is coupled to the housing for movement between a first position, in which the skimmer is positioned relative to a driven component of the power-transmitting device to skim the lubricant from the driven component, and a second position. The OPFC can be operated in a first condition, in which fluid flow from the outlet port is substantially blocked to thereby inhibit a flow of the lubricant in the cavity to the sump, and a second condition, in which fluid flow through the outlet port from the cavity to the sump is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20170198799
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9677656
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an input pinion with a pinion gear, which is received in an axle housing and rotatable about a first axis, and a pinion shaft. The pinion gear is meshed with a ring gear that is coupled to a differential assembly. A head bearing, which is disposed on a first axial end of the input pinion, supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. A tail bearing supports the input pinion for rotation relative to the housing about the first axis. The pinion gear is disposed axially between the tail bearing and the head bearing. A bearing groove is formed into the pinion shaft and the bearing elements are received into the bearing groove such that an inner bearing race of the tail bearing is unitarily and integrally formed with the pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20170146108
    Abstract: A family of axle assemblies that employ a modular concept to maximize part commonality amongst the several axle assemblies. The axle assemblies have a housing assembly that employs a main housing that is formed from a casting that is common to all of the axle assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9649882
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, a wheel end cover and an axle shaft. The axle housing has a tubular member with an end flange coupled thereto. A pair of axle bearings are mounted to the axle shaft and the end flange and support the axle shaft for rotation relative to the axle housing. The wheel end cover is mounted to the end flange and carries a seal that is engaged to the axle shaft. A method for assembling an axle assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20170122427
    Abstract: A driveline component with a housing, which defines a sump, a power-transmitting device received in the housing, a reservoir coupled to the housing, and a reservoir level control device (RLCD). The reservoir has an inlet and outlet and defines a cavity. The RLCD has a skimmer and an outlet port flow control (OPFC). The skimmer is coupled to the housing for movement between a first position, in which the skimmer is positioned relative to a driven component of the power-transmitting device to skim the lubricant from the driven component, and a second position. The OPFC can be operated in a first condition, in which fluid flow from the outlet port is substantially blocked to thereby inhibit a flow of the lubricant in the cavity to the sump, and a second condition, in which fluid flow through the outlet port from the cavity to the sump is permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Paul J. Valente